Safety device.



W. R. MOKEEN, JR.

SAPETY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1907.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVEN fi W. R. MGKEEN, JR. SAFETY DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 25, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 48

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

Ti g 5.

I W. R. McKEEN, JR.

SAFETY DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 25, 1907.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913 3 SHEETS-SHEET a.

llllll IL WITNESSES A r70 E WILLIAM" RILEY MGKEEN, JR, 015 OMAHA, NEBRASKA, Ass1eNoR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, r McKEEN MOTOR CAR COMPANY, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SAFETY DEVICE.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

Application filed-May 25', 1907. Serial .No. 375,651.

" To all whom it may cone-em a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it'appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to safety devices. 1 One of the objects thereof is to. provide practical and effective means for minimizing danger in the storing and handling of explosive fluids.

Another object is to provide simple and efficient means for permitting the filling of a storage tank with an explosive fluid.-

Another object is to provide means of the above character for permitting the safeand ready discharge of the fluid from the tank. Another Object is to provide means of simple, durable and reliable construction adapted to permit the eflicient filling of a tank with an explosive fluid and ready discharge thereof, and adapted, in the event of a severe shock to or to (prevent escape of its contents. 7

ther Objects will be. in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. v

The invention accordingly consists (in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts'which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will beindicated in the following claims.

Referring now to the accompanying'drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments 'of my invention, Fig.- ure 1 is a sectional elevation of a, portion thereof; Fig. 2 is a detail end view of .a cap with associated'parts; Fig. 3. is a. sectional view taken on the linen-(inf Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top view of a plugand parts mounted 5 is a bottom view of the same;

tiallyon the line b -b of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the lme c-w of Fig. 6; Fig. 8is a similar view taken on the line d rZ of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 showing 13% 10 view partially in section the parts in another p osi- 's '1. general diagrammatic showing the parts assembled ready for use.

Similar reference characters refer to simidistortion of the tank,

an, it will be Fig. Q is a view similar to lar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In order that certain features ofthis invention may be the more readily and fully understood, it may here be noted that the handling of explosive fluids such as have come 1nto somewhat general use for purposes of llghtmg and power is popularly supposed to be attended with more or less .danger, and it is of a high degree of commercial nnportance so to safeguard the handling and storage, of this form of fuel as to do away with any possible chance of accldental explosion, The value of such safety devices is perhaps at a maximum in cases in which cars or other vehicles are driven or lighted by the agencyof hydro+ carbon vapor, as whatever danger which. may exlst 1n thenormal use of the apparatus is enhanced by the chance of derailment-or collision. The above and other advantageous features are attained in constructions of the nature of that hereinafter described.

Referring now to Fig. 10 of the'accompanying-drawings,-there is shown a storage tank 1, whichfisimperforate save for the opening 2 in which is threaded a plug 3,

hereinafter described more in detail. From this plugthere leads a discharge conduit 4, to a carbureter 5, drawing from thelower portion of the tank 1 through the tube 6.

A filling or supply conduit 7 also leads to this plug and isshown mounted at its Outer end in the car sheathing 8.

Turning now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, in'which the plug 3 is shown more in deth'erein a conical valve seat 9 seating a cock-or valve 10 whlch is pressed against the seat by the spiral spring 11 held in position by a cap 12.- This valve is provided with a port 13 and there is formed in the valveseat 9 a ort l tto permit the passage of fluid from t l ie inner side of. the valve to ,the interior of the'tank. Valve 10 is rotated by a spindle 15 16. formed in the elbow journaled in bearing 17 and loosely fitting at its. squared lower end 18 within a corresponding aperture formed in the valve. Uponthe upper end of spindle 15 is mounted acrank arm 19, in 20 having onitsouter end a handle 21. Theseparts are so, formed and related one toanother that when the rod 20is pulled outwardly or away from the car-wall 8 the noted that there is formed which is pivoteda rod is a valve seat 32. The

closed. Elbow 17 is connected with the plug 3 by a sectionof piping 22 deeply grooved asindicated at 23, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The other endlof this elbow is connected with the supply conduit 7, which is tapped at its outer end into a flanged sleeve 24 bolted to the'car sheathing and to the collar 25. The latter member is provided with inturned cam surfaces 26, which are adapted to be engaged by a pin 27 in a flanged cap 28 and when the latter is rotated, to force a gasket 29 against a seat 30 formed on sleeve '25 and thus close the opening to the conduit 7. The cap is then held in position by a spring-pressed looking pin 31. The outer flange of this cap, moreover, fits over-the handle 21 and thus insures that the rod 20 will be thrust in and the valve 10 closed before the cap is placed in position. Also formed in plu 3 valve 33 co-acting therewith is normally forced in an upward direction by the spiral spring 34 resting against a bushing 35.. tapped within the plug. The valve is normally held in an open position by rod or wire 36 soldered in an elbow 37, which is connected with the plug by the collar 38 and piping 39, the latter grooved as shown at 40. Elbow 37 is connected with the discharge conduit 4, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, and there is tapped within the bushing 35 the tube 6 hereinbefore referred to. Y

Referring now' to the plan view of the plug 3 given in Fig. 4, there is shown an air port 41 which leads'to valve 10, as shown in Fig. '8. This'port 41 is placed in connection with the interior of tank 1' by means of a port 42 and the passage 43 formed in the valve when the latter is rotated to bring the port 13 into registry with port 14. By this means, when the valve is turned into filling position, as shown in Fig. 9, there is provided free passage for the escape of air displaced by the entering fluid. There is alsoformed in plu 3 a valve seat 44, best shown in Fig. 6 0% the drawings, which is normally closed by a valve 45. This valve-is urged in a closing direction by a spring 46 which bears against cap 47. The passage beneath this valve is normally placed in' connection with the interior of the tank 1 through the passage 43 and port 42 as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and air is then admitted to the tank as the contents are withdrawn without the chance of the stored fluid escaping through this opening.

The method of assembling the parts above set forth should be clear from the drawings, but it may be noted that valve or cook 10, after being thrust against its seat, is position shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

tively held in position by the end of a screw 48 restingwithin a slot 49 formed in the valve. 1

In order to do away with the chance of ambiguity in the interpretation of certain terms or expressions used throughout this case, it may'here be noted'that the term tank is employed to denote a receptacle of any kind,ywhatever its form or other characteristics, and that the expression cock is intended as a generic term 'to include a valve or closure of any form.

The operation of the above described embodiment of my invention is substantially as follows: When it is desired to fill the tank, the spring-pressed pin 31 is depressed and the cap 28 is turned to bring the ends of pin 27 through the recesses formed in the collar 25, whereupon the entire cap, with its gasket, may be withdrawn. The rod 20 is then drawn outwardly by the handle 21, rotating the spindle 15 and the valve vor cock 10 to bring the port 13 into registry with port 14. sired fluid may then be poured into the tank 1 throughthe passage above described and the displaced air escapes through the port 42 and the passage 43 formed in the valv'e,-passing outwardly through passage 41. The valve in this case is in the fotsier the tank has been filled to the desired extent, the handle-21 is thrust against its seat and the cap 28 is forced within the collar 25 and turned sons to wedge the ends of pin 27 beneath the cam surfaces 26, thus forcing gasket 29 against its seat. This series of operations results in the closing of port 13 and the connection of port '42 with valve 45 instead of with the passage 41, the

valve being positioned as shown in Fig. 8

of the drawings. The flange of cap 28, moreover, locks handle 21 in the position immediately above described and prevents its withdrawal without first removing the Considering now the normal operation of the apparatus, the gasolene or other fluid may pass through the valve 33 to any desired destination, such as the carbureter 5. and air may enter the tank to take its place through theaircheck-valve 45 and port 42.

The purpose of the grooves 23 and 40 is to weaken the conduits 22 and 39 so that they may be readily broken in the event of unusual shock, such as might occur in the case of a collision. The breaking of the conduits 22 and 39 would release the entire tank, while the action of the valve 33 prevents theescape of its contents. The squared end 18 of the spindle 15 moves out of-engagement with its seat in the valve 10,-leaving that valve in its closed condition.

It is obvious that minor modifications might be made in the structure-above set Gasolene or any other deadapted to permit the same combination,

arable and permit the forth, to accomplish the same general functions.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank; a supply, conduit; and a connection between the supply conduit and the tank, the' said connection having a mechanically weakened portion adapted to break when subjected to shock.

2. The combination of a tank; a conduit adapted to conduct fluid connected to said tank; and a plurality of closures each adapted to close said conduit, the closures being arranged in interlocking relation whereby the closing of one is essential to the closing of another.

. 3. In a device of the class described, in combination, normally closed cock controllingthe passage to said tank, means having a frangible portion connecting said supply conduit with said cock, a closure for said supply conduit, and means controlling said cock and interlocking with said closure.

4C. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a supply conduit, a

normally closed cock controlling the passage to said tank, means having a frangible portion connecting saidsupply conduit with said cock, a closure for said supply conduit, and means controlling said cock and interlocking with said closure, said means being detachably connected with said cock and adapted to permit the same to drop out of operative relation thereto.

5. In a device of the classdesc-ribed, in combination, a tank, a supply conduit, a normally closed cock controlling the passage to said tank, a spindle controlling said cock and detach-ably connected therewith and to drop therefrom, means having a frangible portion connecting said supply conduit with said cook, a flanged cap adapted to close said supply conduit, and means adapted to be locked in position by the flange of said cap and controlling the position of said spindle.

6. In a device of the class described, in

normally closed cock controlling the passage to said tank, and means connecting said conduit with said cock having a mechanically weakened portion adapted to break upon being'subjected to shock.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a supply conduit, a normally closed cock controlling the passage to said tank, means connecting said conduit with said cockand so formed as to be sepdropping of said tank, a closure for said conduit, and means interlocking with said closure and controlling the position of said cook.

a tank, a supply conduit, 'a

a tank, a supply conduit, a

8. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a supply conduit leading to said tank, a normally closed cock controlling the passage to said tank, a closure for said conduit, and means interlocking with said closure and controlling the positionof said cock.

9. In a device ofthe class described, in combination, a. tank, a plug tapped within said tank, said tank being otherwise imperforate, a cock the passage to said tank, a supply conduit, a closure for said conduit, and means cont-rolling the position of said cock and interlocking wit-h said closure.

10. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a spring-pressed valve controlling the passage'leading therefrom, a discharge conduit leading from said valve nd provided with a frangible'portion, and cans holding said valve open and posiwithin said plug I controlling tioned adjacent said conduit'adapted upon said portion breaking to release and permit the closing of said valve.

- 11. In a device of the class described,-in combination, a tank, a spring-pressed valve mounted within said close the passage leadi ,g therefrom, a conduit leading from said passage and provided with a frangible portion, and a rod secured within said conduit and normally holding said valve open, said rod being so arranged within said valve as upon said tank moving away from said conduit to permit the closure thereof.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a plug secured in said tank, said tank being otherwise imperforate and said plug being formed with three ports leading into said tank and with an air passage, a supply conduit leading to said plug a discharge conduit leading from said plug and a cock provided-with a port adapted to register with one of said ports and connect said conduit with the interior of said tank and also provided with a passage adapted when said ports are in registry to connect said air passage with another of said first-- mentioned ports.

13. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a plug secured within said tank, a supply conduit leading to said plug, said plug being provided with two ports leading to said tank, a check-valve formed within said plug and connected with the atmosphere, and a cock fitted within said plug and adapted in one position to open connection between said supply conduit and one of said ports and'in another position to open connection between said checkvalveand the other of said ports.

14. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a supply conduit, a cock controlling the'passage to said tank, means connecting said supply conduit with said tank and adapted totankand with the, said cock in closed position to close said exit.

J 15. Ina device of the class described, in

combination, a tank, a supply conduit, a cock controlling the passage to said tank,

vmeans connecting said supply conduit with said cock and provided with a frangible portion, means adapted with said cock in open position to permit the exit of air from said tank and with the said cock in closed condition to close said exit, a closure for said supply conduit, and means controlling the position of said cock and interlocking with said closure. I

16. In a device of the class described, in combinatioma tank, a supply conduit, a discharge conduit, a cock controlling the passage from said supply conduit to said tank,

a valve controlling. the passage from said tank to said discharge conduit, frangible. means connecting said supply conduit with said cock and said discharge conduit with said valve,uneans adapted normally to maintain said cock in closed-condition, and means adapted automatically to close said valve upon said frangible means breaking.

17. In a device of the class described, in

the passage leading within said tank, a valve within said plug controlling a passage leading from said tank, a discharge conduit connected with said valve, a supply conduit connected with said cock, a closure for said supply conduit, means controlling the position of said cock and interlocking with said closure, and means holding said valve open and adapted to release the same upon the tank becoming displaced.

18. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a plug secured within said tank, a normally closed cock within said plug controlling the passage leading within said tank, controlling a passage leading from said tank, a discharge conduit connected with said valve, a supply conduit connected with said cock, a. closure for said supply conduit, means controlling the position of said cock and interlocking with said closure, and means holding said valve open and adapted to release the same upon the tank becoming .displaced, said means connecting said conduits with said cock and said valve being permit the displacement of said tank.

trolling the position of combination, a tank, a plug secured within a valve within said plug interlocking with said closure, means holding.

to release the a said valve open and adapted same upon the tank becoming displaced, and a check valve within said plugadapted to permit the entry of air within said tank.

20. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a plug secured within plug controlling the passage leadingwithin sai tank, a valve withinsaid plug controlling a passage leading from said tank, a discharge conduit connected with said valve, a supply conduit'connectedwith said cook, a closure for said supply conduit, means consaid cock and interlocking with said closure, means holding said valve open and adapted to release the same upon the tank becoming displaced, a check-valve within said plug adapted to permit the entry of air Withinsaid tank, and means adapted upon said cock-being opened to permit the discharge of air from said tank.

21. In a device of the class described, in combination, a tank, a plug provided with passage secured Within saidtank, said tank being otherwise imperforate, a normally closed cock within said plug controlling the passage leading within said tank, a valve within said plug controlling a passage leading from said tank, a discharge conduit connected with said valve, a supply conduit connected with said cook, a closure for said supply conduit, means controlling the position of said cock and interlocking with said closure, means holding said valve open and adapted to release said tank, a normally closed cock within said the sameupon the tank.

becoming displaced, a check-valve within said plug adapted to permit the entry of-air Within said tank, saidcock being opened to permit the discharge of air from said tank.

and means I adapted upon In testimony whereof I afix my signature, I

in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM RILEY MoKEEN, J R..' Witnesses:

H. P. VAN AnsoALn, CHAs. W. LoUoKs. 

